Back in the day, the gauges on cars weren?t much help to the driver.
When a car circa 1980 or earlier had a gauge that showed “danger” or went into the red zone, chances were good that it was too late to do anything but pull the vehicle over and let it die, said Ed Kriston, approved automotive repair specialist in the Towson Office of AAA Mid-Atlantic, headquartered in Wilmington, Del.
“Today?s cars have gauges that are much more sophisticated,” he said. “It can be very costly if you don?t pay attention to them now.”
Unlike cars of old, today?s sophisticated engines have gauges that have readings that are almost 100 percent accurate. Kriston and his AAA colleague Jeffrey Boone warn that with the summer?s excessive heat, paying attention to gauges is vital.
Consider these tips to ensure your trip is safe:
» Watch the engine temperature. When driving in excessive heat, try to leave extra space between your car and the one in front of it. The primary task of an engine coolant is to transfer heat from the engine to the radiator where it is removed by the passing airflow. New drivers should know to check the coolant level at every oil change. With a cold engine, the radiator should be completely full, and the coolant level in the remote reservoir should be at or above the “cold” level marking. Have the system flushed and refilled with fresh coolant at the interval specified in the vehicle owner?s manual. Always top off the system with a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water to avoid altering the antifreeze level. If coolant isn?t changed, it becomes acidic and can damage the engine.
» Keep an eye on oil levels. Without an adequate supply of clean oil, an engine will wearmore rapidly and could even seize. Drivers should monitor and change the oil at specified intervals. If the car isn?t frequently driven, it?s still important to have the oil changed about once a quarter. Oil loses additives, and its effectiveness, over time.
» Don?t drive with a low tank of gas. Keep the gas tank as full as possible and try not to run it with less than half a tank. The less gas in the tank, the more impurities run through the motor. Those impurities can eventually damage the engine.
